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Discusses primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). Looks at causes and symptoms. Covers how it is diagnosed and treated. Also looks at symptoms of advanced liver damage such as variceal bleeding and osteoporosis.

Primary Biliary Cirrhosis (PBC)

Topic Overview

What is primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC)?

Primary
biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a kind of cirrhosis caused by damage to the bile ducts in the liver. Much like other forms of liver disease, PBC
permanently damages the liver as tissue is replaced with scar tissue
(fibrosis). As more scar tissue develops, the structure and function of the
liver are affected.

What causes PBC?

The exact cause of PBC is
unknown. But it may be related to a problem with the
immune system, which is the body's natural defense
system.

What are the symptoms?

Many people who have
primary biliary cirrhosis do not have symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they
may include:

Itching
(pruritus).

Fatigue.

Yellowing of the skin and the white part of
the eyes (jaundice).

Discomfort in the upper right part
of the abdomen.

Dry eyes and mouth.

Vaginal dryness.

With more advanced liver damage, people may have complications related to cirrhosis such as:

Fluid buildup in the abdomen
(ascites).

Bleeding of enlarged veins in the esophagus, stomach,
and rectum (variceal bleeding).

Premature thinning of the bones
(osteoporosis).

How is PBC diagnosed?

Primary biliary cirrhosis is
suspected based on a medical history, physical exam, and lab tests that show
high levels of the enzyme alkaline phosphatase and antimitochondrial antibodies
(AMA) in the blood. Your doctor may also conduct an imaging test such as an
ultrasound, which shows images of the liver and other
tissues inside the body. He or she may also do a
biopsy to remove a small piece of
tissue from the liver. Biopsy is the best way to definitively diagnose
PBC.

How is it treated?

Treatment for primary biliary
cirrhosis is difficult, because the immune system appears to be involved. As
with other forms of cirrhosis, treatment focuses on reducing symptoms,
preventing and treating the complications of the disease, and preventing other
conditions that may cause additional liver damage.

The medicine ursodiol is usually given soon after a diagnosis of primary biliary cirrhosis. Ursodiol helps move bile out of the liver and into the small intestine. If it is used early enough, ursodiol can improve liver function and may keep you from needing a liver transplant. The medicine may also help you live longer.1

Medicines such as cholestyramine, rifampicin, or naltrexone may be used to help with itching caused by PBC.

If you have fatigue, your doctor will try to find the cause of your tiredness. It may not be caused by PBC. Some medicines have been tried to help with fatigue in PBC, but none have been proved to work well.

PBC can also cause dry eyes and mouth. The best way to help dry eyes is to use eye drops (artificial tears) when your eyes feel dry. A dry mouth can be helped by chewing gum or hard candy to increase saliva. You can also use a saliva substitute. If that doesn't help, there are some medicines that can be used.

Because people with PBC have a high risk of getting
osteoporosis, you should have periodic
bone density scans. Your doctor may suggest
that you take
calcium and
vitamin D supplements and perhaps a medicine called a
bisphosphonate.

Liver
transplantation may be the treatment of choice for people who have end-stage
primary biliary cirrhosis, although primary biliary cirrhosis can recur after a
liver transplant.

Other Places To Get Help

Organizations

American Liver Foundation (ALF)

Web Address:

www.liverfoundation.org

National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse

2 Information Way

Bethesda, MD 20892-3570

Phone:

1-800-891-5389

Fax:

(703) 738-4929

TDD:

1-866-569-1162
toll-free

Email:

nddic@info.niddk.nih.gov

Web Address:

www.digestive.niddk.nih.gov

This clearinghouse is a service of the U.S. National
Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), part of the
U.S. National Institutes of Health. The clearinghouse answers questions;
develops, reviews, and sends out publications; and coordinates information
resources about digestive diseases. Publications produced by the clearinghouse
are reviewed carefully for scientific accuracy, content, and readability.

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